As the Methodist Church Nigeria, Abuja Archdiocese celebrates its 40th anniversary, the Nigerian government and leaders have been charged to seek the face of God to overcome the present challenges facing the country.
The Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Grace, Most Reverend Dr Michael Akinwale while addressing journalists on Tuesday in Abuja as part of the 40th anniversary of the archdiocese, said that the only solution to the challenges the country is facing is for Nigeria to be returned to God in sincerity of purpose.
“One thing you need to understand is that if your car is having some problems and you decide to take it to the carpenter, then you have gone to the wrong place. The only solution to the problem of Nigeria is that we should take this nation back to God with sincerity of purpose, not with deceit.
“Let both the leaders and the followers be committed to taking this nation back to God and let’s seek the face of God, that is the only way out because the truth of the matter is that there is confusion everywhere, but within the midst of this confusion, we are looking up to God to take absolute control.
“It is not for us to be condemning our leaders because whether you like it or not no magic is going to happen except, we take this nation back to God and ask God to change the mind of our leaders and change the minds of the followers as well.
“It is only righteousness that exalts a nation, sin is a reproach to any nation, we all are stakeholders in this nation, so we commit to pray for our leaders and our nation and ask God to change the minds of our leaders so that they can do the will of God and work for the good of the people.
“We must come to the realization that we are extremely helpless without God and as a church leader, my advice to the government is that they should seek the face of God, seek God’s direction and of course, they themselves should be truthful to the people,” Reverend Akinwale said.
Recalling the journey so far, the clergyman said during the creation of Abuja in 1976, the few Christians amongst them were mainly members of the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA), while the rest were predominantly Muslims and pagans.
He said there were no Methodists in the entire territory then until the Federal Government staff started arriving and settling down.
“One of the early Methodists that arrived was Bro Okwere Ekpo Ekanem popularly called Papa Abuja. There was no place of worship for the Christians but there existed a make-shift hall at a place usually called Area One junction which was constructed by a construction company for the relaxation and refreshment of workers.
“On Sundays, Christians turned this structure for use as a place of worship. The Catholics would use first followed by the Anglicans. The Methodists were not accommodated because of time of worship. However, the Methodists joined the Anglicans to worship”, he said.
The Archbishop noted that this arrangement was short-lived as one of the early arrivals, Bro. O.E. Ekanem was inspired by the Holy Spirit to start a fellowship on January 16, 1983, in his parlour at Flat 11, Block 1, Area 11, Garki.
“That small fellowship that started on that memorable date with about nine members, had metamorphosed into what we know today as the Methodist Church Nigeria, Abuja Archdiocese,” he added.
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